Weightlifting-is-old

Weightlifting history

Physical culture has been around as long as the human race. Prowess is highly regarded. I believe ancient men and women tested physical prowess as a prerequisite for leading any big hunt; long before any form of written communication was created. Civilizations develop as components advance or not. Physical culture is part of the society in which we live. Sports represent our society as much as pop culture. Formalizing physical activities, other than

employment, is the province of the upper classes. Socialites, royalty, and others with enough free time, real estate, and other resources can be devoted to physical improvement. Athletes with the most olive oil, in the ancient Olympics, won most frequently. Later, business owners recognized abilities in their employees and sanctioned them as competitors. I am certain gambling was involved as well. All events in ancient Olympic Games included additional weight (Perrottett, 2004). We admire, value, and exalt physical prowess. Interfere with Sunday football programing in America and understand the passion resulting from your interference. Sports are mob mentality. Everyone wants to be part of something bigger. Sports represent our society.  It is my goal to advance performances and health simultaneously. I make people healthier, stronger, and more coordinated. “Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it” (unknown). We have developed scientific methodology which is useful while not all encompassing. Further work must be done.

Physical culture is time consuming. People with time, real estate, and other resources have always liked to show the working class what they can do with their resources. The history of weightlifting is far reaching. In China as early as 3600BC there is proof of weightlifting tests. A rite of passage to joining the armed forces was implemented during the Chou dynasty

(1122-249BC) (Webster, 1976). The history of weightlifting is rich. Scientific training methods are a more recent development (Siff, 2003). With the organization of Asian culture I am certain studies were conducted in some form or another. Eastern European scientists developed superior, proven, outlines for testing and improving performances (Medvedyev, 1989), (Roman, 1988), (Zatsiorsky, 1995) are only a few of these records. Unfortunately in today’s society more research must be completed.

I work on the data available for 17+ year olds from this research. I am 47. I need a different schematic. Everyone willing to harness effort improves. We must develop protocols for older people interested in physical improvement. Research is great. We must develop new formats once we have sufficient data to refer to what is supported scientifically. Be a scientist in the gym. The operative phrasing is ‘in the gym’. Work must be done. Data must be collected. Variables must be identified. Objectives must be declared, argued, and analyzed. Results must be recorded and adjustments made. Keep a training log. Analyze it as frequently, as needed, to adjust outcomes individually and in group training. Time is your baseline. Collect data and enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

New science is appealing. I question frequently how future physical scholars will view what is being done at present. Studying Kinesiological Sciences, at the University of Maryland, College Park (2004), opened my eyes to free thinking. A professor of Philosophy told us during his introductory lecture that “we must learn how to think”. How much new data must we gather before we have too much information to organize? My belief is once at least ten

years of quality work is complete one must develop one’s own philosophy.  Maintain effectiveness and safety always. Merit excellence.

There is a long history of trial and error in training. Science is expanding daily. If athletes and their coaches gather data, analyze it, and develop superior methods in the gym sports performances and health improvements are categorical. Scientists must also study the technique of sports movements so they may work within guidelines already established. The science on weightlifting techniques is explicit. There is one optimal way for each individual skeleton to execute each movement in the weight room. The weight room is the most investigated sports science arena. Strength is conclusive. “In the absence of compromise superior force prevails” (Sun Tsu). Superior force is superior strength.

History is meaningful. Unfortunately, it is written by the victors. In modern times gold is success. CrossFit will make an impact on physical culture beyond today. This is a bad thing. CrossFit coaches do not understand the scientific foundation of many factors involved in training. How many step-aerobics classes do you see these days? They were, and CrossFit is, a fad. “Fashion is so disgusting we must change it every year” (W.C. Fields). Science is about realizing subtleties not disregarding them. Yes, the world was once flat. Yes, no one wants to consume mold to cure an infection. Yes, running was once touted as the physical solution to all problems. Historical misunderstanding does not qualify unskilled “coaches” spitting in the face of everything established, supported, and tested for decades. Science is meaningful also. Studies are conducted daily in an effort to “prove” someone’s perspective. Too much science is conducted for sales purposes. Integrity is not self- serving. Honor is a code of conduct. Injury rates are too frequent in CrossFit, running, and specialized “training”. We must keep goals unprejudiced. Health is the most reasonable, noble, and useful goal. Is there anything more meaningful than health? NO!

Strength is an alternative word for health. Develop strength as part of training. You will be happy with the decision sooner than later. Training is about health preceding appearances. How good do you look when you are sickly? The organism cannot perform better if health is off-line. Strength and conditioning is science. Science is a relatively new development historically. The 16^th century is recent when compared to 3600BC (Siff, 2003). Physical culture is human nature. We are designed to move. Make part of life physical, another mental, and a third emotional. Life is a tri-pod. People with diabetes must understand this tri-pod as exercise, medicine, and nutritional considerations. Proper management demands attention to these details. Training is a living thing. It has ups and downs. It changes. Training must be adjusted constantly. People have realized this forever. The records are here for review. Physical culture is part of life. Make the most of your lives and be physical. It matters!

Get stronger!                                                                                    docsgym@live.com